Lawyers touch down in Callide and talk class action

FIVE weeks after floodwaters from Cyclone Marcia tore through the Biloela area a number of lawyers have touched down in the Callide Valley reportedly to discuss a potential class action.

It was reported by the ABC yesterday that some Callide residents believed the flood waters had intensified as a result of the emergency release from the Callide Dam.

Lawyer Brendan Pendergast visited the flood-affected residents and told the ABC that he believed there was a possibility of a case for compensation.

"It seems to us that the inundation that occurred following the 20th of February event could have been avoided," he said.

"What ought to have happened, we would contend, is that the (water) levels should have been lowered by opening of the flood gates and.... releasing water 48 hours or so before the heavy torrential rain arrived with the cyclone.

"We say the situation is aggravated by the fact that in 2013 a similar chain of events occurred with a similar flood to follow."

Mr Pendergast told the ABC flood-affected residents were angry and that some held SunWater responsible.

Dam operator SunWater chief executive Peter Boettcher told the ABC he was not concerned lawyers were meeting with residents.

He said people should wait for the results of the independent inquiry into the flooding that was being conducted by the Queensland Government.

"We think they've probably jumped the gun a little bit," he said.

"We are participating fully in that review.

"We have provided a considerable amount of information already and we expect that when that information is made available in the public domain, through the review process, our position will be justified."